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A type of home equity loan that does not require repayment until the loan is due. It is promoted to older people. Some financial experts advise against reverse mortgages because a large, unpaid principal can remain at death. (Back to top of glossary)

This stands for Principal, Interest and Taxes, the components of every mortgage payment. (Back to top of glossary)

An open mortgage can be re-negotiated, refinanced or paid off early with no penalty but tends to have higher interest. A closed mortgage has a set term with a lower rate but cannot be re-negotiated, refinanced or paid off early without a penalty. (Back to top of glossary)

The additional expenses to close a home purchase. They may include land transfer taxes, lawyers' fees and home insurance. Closing costs can range from 1.5 to 4 per cent of the home's selling price. (Back to top of glossary)

One of the few housing design styles created in North America, it was popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Prairie School dates from 1900-1940 and includes features like strong horizontal lines, projecting eaves and flat or hipped roofs. (Back to top of glossary)

Small, single-family homes mass produced between 1940 and 1960 for soldiers or people who worked in defence industries. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation hired architects, engineers and builders to create floor plans and kits for affordable one-and-a-half-storey homes that could be built from locally sourced materials. (Back to top of glossary)

Normally vertical windows that are hinged on the bottom of the sash so the top can be opened inward. (Back to top of glossary)

A series of parallel supporting beams, usually made of wood or wood composite, and used to support ceilings, roofs or floors. (Back to top of glossary)

A window built to project outwards from the outside wall. Bay windows are often found in living rooms to take advantage of natural light and scenic views. (Back to top of glossary)

A window hinged on the vertical sash to allow for opening. (Back to top of glossary)

The frame of a window, usually made of wood, metal or plastic, that holds the glass in place. (Back to top of glossary)

Lighting that is focused on specific work spaces so it reduces the need to have an entire room illuminated. (Back to top of glossary)

Lighting intended to highlight specific interior design elements or architectural features.

IoT is the abbreviation for Internet of Things, so being "enabled" or "compatible" means appliances or systems in the home that are connected to the internet and controlled remotely, usually with a smartphone. Examples include refrigerators that can identify what food needs to be purchased and heating systems that can be adjusted from offsite. Also called "smart home" devices. (Back to top of glossary)

Abbreviation for high efficiency particulate filter, which is an air filter capable of removing extremely fine particles like pollen and pet dander from the air. HEPA filters can be found on a variety of household appliances as well as in furnaces. (Back to top of glossary)

The floor and area immediately in front of a fireplace or around a pellet or wood stove. It is usually made of stone, tile or some other non-flammable material. (Back to top of glossary)

An HRV brings fresh air into an otherwise airtight house to prevent the buildup of moisture, bacteria and mould. The outgoing air is used to warm the fresh air before it is circulated throughout the house. An ERV does the same things as well as extracting humidity from indoor air and recirculating it during dry winter months and exhausting it outside during the humid summer. (Back to top of glossary)

Made from gypsum (naturally occurring form of hydrated calcium sulphate) pressed into sheets and covered on both sides with thick paper, it is used in the construction of interior walls and ceilings. It is then usually painted or covered with wallpaper or panelling. Other ingredients may be added to make drywall more resistant to sound, water or fire. It is also called plasterboard, gyprock or gypsum board. (Back to top of glossary)